Motorcycles

Honda to release $1.2 million motorcycle in late 2013

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The new RC213V production machine under testing in Japan on May 24, 2013. The bike's running performance surpassed Honda's expectations
Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike
Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike
Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike
Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike
Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike
Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike
Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike
The new RC213V production machine under testing in Japan on May 24, 2013. The bike's running performance surpassed Honda's expectations
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Yes, that seems like a whole lot of money for a motorcycle, but Honda will unveil a whole new production model by the end of 2013. It's an over-the-counter MotoGP racer with a target price of €1 million (US$1.3 million), and a level of power that will make it competitive in the CRT class of MotoGP in 2014. Oh, and the bike is designed to save money.

Honda Racing Corporation is currently testing the RC213V 1000 cc V4 production bike and will release the bike late this year so teams can prepare for the 2014 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix MotoGP class. The new model will enable entrants to race competitively in MotoGP at significantly lower cost than is currently the case.

The as-yet-unnamed production bike will be very similar to the RC213V bikes currently ridden by Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez, Stefan Bradl and Alvaro Bautista though it will have conventional valve springs (as opposed to pneumatic valve actuation), a conventional gearbox (not a seamless quickshift gearbox), Nissin brakes (not Brembo units) and Showa suspension (not Öhlins).

Honda's 2013 RC213V, the basis for the new production MotoGP bike

We're not sure what other changes will be made to differentiate the machine, but the price is substantially reduced in comparison to the bike it's based upon. While the target price of the CRT machine is expected to come in under $1.3 million, the cost of the current bikes made available to satellite teams is $4.5 million a season, and the biggest difference is that at the end of the season, you have to give them back. That price is simply the leasing fee. At least with these production machines you'll have something to show for your money at the end of the season because you actually get to keep them.

"Development of the model is currently a little behind schedule but the test results showed more than what we had expected, in particular, with its running performance," Shuhei Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of Honda Racing Corporation, said over the weekend.

"We can't announce its name or the specification at this stage but we will have an opportunity of announcing the details in the not too distant future. We will keep on developing the machine to meet the 2014 MotoGP technical and sporting regulations, and will introduce the model by the end of this year."

The bike hit the track for the first time last Thursday and Friday at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan. Honda has stated it is geared up to meet demand regardless, and there will be no limit on the number of the RC213V production machines available for sale.

Interestingly, it is 12 years since Honda sold a production machine designed to race at the highest level. The NSR500V was V-twin 500 cc two-stroke and was ridden successfully by quite a few privateers. In all, Honda sold 22 of the bikes, which scored seven top five placings and a best result of second place.

Source: Honda

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7 comments
The Skud
Should be a good seller ... Would certainly help a racer's budget when trying to work with limited sponsorship. Plus you get to keep it after the season! Imagine seeing on EBay for perhaps 1/2 a mill.!
StWils
This just seems to shift "Road Rash" to "Spattered Rider Cause of Death" a lot faster.
Griffin
No,they are designed to MAKE money.
If they were designed to save money, they'd be 100K or less.
@the skud What difference does it make if they are on ebay for 500K ? Are you going to buy one?
Once they are outdated they'll be worthless except to collectors.
When they get cheap, I'll think about getting one to run Deal's Gap.
THEN it will be worthwhile to those on the street.
Dan Halford
@StWils - You do realize these are dedicated track racers, not road bikes, right?
Dave B13
Do the math. 4.5 Million and no bike at end of 1 season 1.3 Million and keep the used up bike at end of season. _________________________________________________ 3.2 Million savings and a very very cool very large paperweight.
Andrew Zuckerman
WHAT in something that size can cause it to be worth over mil? Someone please enlighten me.
Dave B13
WHAT in something that size can cause it to be worth over mil? Someone please enlighten me.
Andrew, it includes product support for a year by people that know what they are doing.